Inside the Mind of Style Genius Ken Downing

Working in fashion for more than 30 years, it is not an understatement to call him a fashion Guru. Ken Downing, Fashion Director and Senior Vice President of Neiman Marcus, is the go to person when it comes to predicting trends, finding out the hottest items, and having a better understanding of the ever changing fashion scene. We had the pleasure to peak inside the mind of the style genius, Ken Downing, so read along to find out all about it...

1. As the Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus, you surely have a
clear vision of what would be a hit for upcoming seasons. How do you predict
what the most coveted pieces would be?

As the Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus,
I am always thinking about the women who are my customers, the women I meet all
over the world, their wants, their desires, and their lifestyle. I see the world through two lenses, the dream of the runway and the
reality of a woman's wardrobe. Finding the perfect balance between the fantasy and romanticized ideas
of fashion designers and the relevancy of how a woman lives her life guides me
each season. I am always thinking about my women! They inspire my quest for beautiful things. I am always looking for what they want and what they don't realize that
they are going to want next.

2. Now that the fashion week season is over, share with us three
trends you loved and three you disliked...

There are so many ideas that filled the Fall 2014 runways. I am absolutely obsessed with the melting pot of multi cultural ideas
that gave a wonderful Global Wanderer sensibility to many of the collections.
Guatemala, The American South West, Africa, China, India, Japan, all
influences that brought ornamentation, embroidery, texture, romance and
statement making accessories to the runways. It's a major trend that every women
needs to incorporate into her fall wardrobe. The gorgeous gray that were from the prettiest of pearl, delicate dove
to chic charcoal that will be the foundation of the many saturated shades that
define the season. The many greens being one of my favorite color stories that were paired
with gray. I am obsessed with the comfy, cozy knit dressing that filled every
runway. I love the relaxed attitude of the many head to toe knit ensembles that
allow a woman an easy wardrobe, while still looking polished and put
together.

I was less interested in many bonded and boiled fabrics that many
designers prefer. I look for fabrics that a woman will embrace. The feeling of
fine fabrics should be the ultimate personal luxury in a wardrobe, fabric should
work with you, not against you! Enormous, oversize silhouettes that do not celebrate femininity and don't flatter a woman's figure are less of an interest to me. I enjoy the idea of
volume in fashion, I enjoy it more, as does my women when it's balanced with a
controlled shape. Dirty messy looking hair that many of the models sported on the
catwalk; there is nothing chic about looking unkempt.

3. Name an upcoming fashion label you have your eyes on...

I am crazy about Juan Carlos Obando! He is a designer from Los
Angeles that I met through my work with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Juan
Carlos creates the most sumptuous and sensual eveningwear with color
combinations that take me back to the late, great Yves Saint Laurent. I adore
what Juan Carlos creates.

4. You've mentioned before that you see fashion editors as the
real influencers and trend setters, how do you see them affecting the runways
not just the street style?

I always have my radar on the streets and the front row. Fashion
Editors are a great barometer of what's next. They have a keen eye for the new
and noteworthy, designers and trends, and often adopt new ideas into their
personal wardrobes as the collections are unfolding. I like to believe that I have the eye of an editor and the mind of a
retailer. My eyes are always open to the next big thing, my mind is always
thinking about how well it will translate into a woman's wardrobe which
translates to sales for my company.

5. How does a woman balance between following the latest trends
and being practical?

Everything in life is balance, fashion is no exception. I create a
trend list each season with what I believe are the essentials that a woman
needs to consider as she builds her upcoming wardrobe. Not necessarily every
trend is right for every woman, but nine times out of 10 they are. I consider
it a road map for women to consider. Ultimately, you have to feel great in your clothes, a wardrobe should be a good friend when you open your
closet. Clothes should create confidence, it's the greatest gage of what's right
for you.

6. By the age of 30 what are the pieces every woman should have
in her wardrobe?

I don't believe age should define a woman or her wardrobe. Everyone is
25 today, it doesn't matter if you are 17 or 77, or 107 for that matter.
A Chanel handbag is always a milestone purchase for many women, or a great
pair of diamond stud earrings that you will wear forever doesn't hurt either!

7. What are the 5 must-have pieces for this summer?

Summer's Must Have include: - Pink! It is the color of the season, from the palest of blush to the
most shocking of pink. Wear pale pinks with bright pinks, it is the look I loved
most on the runways.

- A great White Shirt, it is spring's fashion equalizer and plays
perfect with colors and the many artistic inspired prints of the season.

- The Summer Bootie. Cut outs, straps, on a heel or flats, the summer
booties look great with everything from the current season and adds new life
to pieces in your closet from the past.

- BACKPACKS are BACK! It is "the" handbag.

- Total Denim, I am obsessed with an entire denim look. Jeans, denim
shirt, denim jacket and a denim backpack, the more the merrier when it comes to
denim for summer . Mix denim washes for a look I love!

8. Give us your no. 1 tip for women before shopping for their summer wardrobe.

Approach your summer shopping how I approach every new runway season. Eyes wide open with enthusiasm and excitement to new ideas, it makes shopping all the more fun.

9. What's your perception of a woman dressing stylishly?

I enjoy seeing women who love to look good. How we dress says so much about ourselves and our personalities. Celebrate yourself! Personal style is a wonderful cover to the story of the person you are.

10. We've been hearing lots of fashion insiders talking about
how there aren't any rules in fashion anymore. Do you think that's true?

I find the more I hear there are no rules, the more women I know want
more direction. Rules are guidelines and roadmaps that many women enjoy, so they
are confident they are making the right fashion decision. Fashion makes the
rules and breaks the rules, it's what makes fashion new!

11. How do social media portals such as Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter influence fashion?

Social Media portals don't necessarily influence the direction
of fashion, but they certainly keep the fashion conversation going. Today,
fashion is far more interactive. Social Media keeps influencers and enthusiasts connected, informed and curious. Fashion is a bigger conversation than it was five or 10 years ago.
Fashion is now at everyone's fingertips within a nano second a piece of style news is being made.

12. As someone who has a passion for interior design, how does
that reflect on your fashion choices?

Todays modern world of design is very democratic in its ability to
influence one another at every and any level, unlike past decades. The influences of the street, movies, music, the food we eat and certainly they
way we decorate our homes is all intertwined, and is a creative reaction that
crosses all levels of style. As a passionate collector of art and Mid-Century furniture, I find that the artisanal
color palettes of many painters, the sculptural quality of furniture
created by designers and architects are influenced by ideas of proportion, and
challenges traditional ideas of color. Clothing is covering for the body, Interior Design is the cocoon that shelters
us and is as much a reflection of our taste and personal style as our
wardrobes. I find it impossible that anyone of style that loves fashion doesn't live in an
equally exciting environment. Style permeates everything in our lives, Interior Designers are inspired by the
runway, and the runways are inspired by magical interiors. Beauty has always been attracted to beauty since the beginning of time.